I was raised on phrases like, “It is better to have tried and failed than to not have tried at all,” and “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” These sayings have driven me through my adult life and they can encourage me when working through problems that I must deal with.

Even though these sayings drive me on, it feels better not to fail in the first place. I have had to back up and start over many times and it is a very hard thing to stay encouraged and excited about doing it over. The excitement that comes with a new fresh idea that you believe in, can suddenly go away when it did not turn out like you thought it would.

Years ago, when I was building houses, there were times when we would frame in a door or window in the wrong place and have to take the wall down and tear it apart to correct it. My employees went on making their hourly wages while we did the work over; not to mention that there was always lumber that was splintered and had to be replaced.

Doing it over would cost me time and money but it was not going to be fixed until I did something to fix it. I would then live out the sayings that I had been taught in my youth. As I reflect on these times, I know that I learned from them.

Do you think that there are things that can only be learned through experiences? Is there a prevailing philosophy that is going against the time proven method of rolling up your sleeves and working your way through a problem? Is there any desire left to try and try again if as first you do not succeed? What makes a person think one way or the other?

These and other life questions will be addressed Sunday morning as “The Gathering Place Family” meets in the Washington High School Gymnasium at 10 a.m. for our Pre-Service Connection where we enjoy coffee, juice and donuts. Our Worship Service and Children’s Church then begins at 10:30.

Come at 7 p.m. and be part of our Wednesday night Bible Study and Children’s Ministry on the third floor above Trends at 120 West Court St. in Washington C.H.